New abuse suit filed against diocese, former priest

Sioux City Journal/June 23, 2006

Two former Sioux City residents have filed the 29th lawsuit alleging sexual abuse by a former priest in the Sioux City Diocese.

Edward and Patrick Nichols, who both now live in California, sued the diocese and George McFadden, claiming that McFadden committed sex acts upon them when they were under age 14. McFadden does not deny the acts occurred, according to the suit, which was filed Friday in Woodbury County District Court.

The alleged abuse occurred in the 1960s while McFadden was pastor at the now-closed St. Francis of Assisi parish in Sioux City.

In allegations similar to those contained in previous lawsuits, Edward and Patrick Nichols said that the diocese was negligent in its hiring and supervision and aided and abetted McFadden by transferring him to other parishes to cover up his actions instead of stopping them.